Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [363]
If you prefer to tour the rainforest at high speed, the thrilling Aventuras Bosquemar Canopy (2735-5102; www.goodcostarica.com/canopy.html; Miramar; admission US$75) is the only zip-line canopy tour on this side of the peninsula. Five lines stretch between five platforms, winding 600m through primary forest. It’s about 8km from Jiménez near the village of Miramar – prices include transportation from Puerto Jiménez.
Boat tours around the Golfo Dulce are becoming increasingly popular. The all-day outing often includes a mangrove tour, snorkeling excursion and dolphin-watching. Remember that it is illegal to swim with the dolphins, despite your tour guide’s best intentions. These outings are typically booked either through your accommodations, or by simply stopping by the waterfront and chartering your own boat and captain. As such, rates are variable depending on the nature of your trip.
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Tours
Aventuras Tropicales (2735-5195; www.aventurastropicales.com) A Tico-run operation that offers all sorts of tropical adventures.
Cacique Tours (8815-8919; www.lasosas.com/index_tours.htm) The affable Oscar Cortés offers a variety of wildlife tours, his specialty being an early-morning bird-watching walk.
Escondido Trex (2735-5210; www.escondidotrex.com; Restaurant Carolina) Specializes in kayak tours, including mangrove paddles, night paddles, sunset tours and kayak-snorkel combos.
Osa Sportfishing (2735-5675; www.costa-rica-sportfishing.com; Restaurant Carolina) Transplanted Florida fishers who organize sportfishing vacations and dolphin- and whale-watching on the 15m double-decker Delfin Blanco.
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Puerto Jiménez for Children
Compared to Bahía Drake, the alternative access point for Parque Nacional Corcovado, Puerto Jiménez is much more family-friendly in the sense that you can rely on a wider range of goods and services. The simple fact that you’re ‘on-the-grid’ can be very comforting to parents. Of course, Port Jim doesn’t attract as many families as some of the more mainstream tourist destinations along the Central Pacific Coast and in the Nicoya peninsula, though your children will nevertheless be well catered for here.
The wide range of sleeping listings gives you choice when it comes to comfort, quality and the all-important price. As a disclaimer, the majority of the budget options in town have some rough edges, so you might want to dig a bit deeper into your pockets. Regardless of where you stay, however, there are plenty of activities on the roster, which can help keep your kids busy and – hopefully – out of trouble!
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Sleeping
Puerto Jiménez is fairly quiet most times of the year, though reservations are always a good idea on weekends and during busy holidays. Unlike other destinations in the Osa peninsula, backpackers and shoestringers are well catered for, and you’ll find the greatest diversity of accommodations at the budget and midrange levels. Top-end options also abound, but they tend to be located on the outskirts of town.
BUDGET
Cabinas The Corner (2735-5328; www.jimenezhotels.com/cabinasthecorner; dm US$5, d US$12) While this ultra-budget crash pad provides little more than a bed in a fan-cooled room for the night, the Corner is kept admirably clean and secure, and resultantly has a growing legion of devoted fans. It’ll do just fine if all you need is a bit of shut-eye before heading out to Corcovado, and this is as good a place as any to link up with other potential trekkers, form an expedition party and stock up on invaluable local advice.
DAY TRIPPER
You’ve got a free day in Port Jim and you don’t want to hang around town? Here’s what you can do:
Catch a wave and you’re sittin’ on top of the world. Check out the point break at Playa Pan Dulce in Cabo Matapalo.
Indulge your sweet tooth. See (and taste) where chocolate comes from at Finca Köbö.
Slow down and get some